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Semin Plast Surg 2011; 25(1): 016-024
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1275167
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Review of Chest Wall Tumors: A Diagnostic, Therapeutic, and Reconstructive Challenge

Elizabeth A. David1 , M. Blair Marshall2
  • 1Department of General Surgery, Georgetown University Hospital, Washington DC
  • 2Division of Thoracic Surgery, Georgetown University Hospital, Washington DC
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Publication History

Publication Date:
05 April 2011 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Chest wall tumors are a heterogeneous group of lesions that provide an interesting diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for surgeons. They make up less than 5% of thoracic malignancies and vary widely in pathology as they arise from all anatomic structures of the chest wall. In general, treatment is wide local excision, the margins for malignant disease are necessarily wider, and adjuvant radiation is typically given for those with positive margins. Chemotherapy is rarely effective. Local control is the most important prognostic factor. Disease-free survival for malignant disease is limited by positive margins; therefore full oncologic resection with 4-cm margins should be attempted. For small lesions, the resection and reconstruction is usually straightforward. For more advanced disease or those lesions that require significant functional loss, preoperative planning using a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating thoracic surgery, plastic surgery, neurosurgery, radiation medicine, oncology, and physical medicine and rehabilitation, may be essential.

KEYWORDS

Chest wall tumor - primary chest wall tumor - chest wall resection

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M. Blair Marshall M.D. 

4th Floor PHC Building, 3800 Reservoir Road

Washington, DC 20008

Email: mbm5@gunet.georgetown.edu